The Trippin Mixes, Vol. 24: Sijya

James Cochran

London

If I was on death row, I’d take all the menu from Around the Cluck - with chips and curry sauce, and maybe cheese. Whether it's at your local high-street chicken shop or a high-end restaurant, fried chicken has become truly universal.

Morleys have always been fiercely south east London based - but have now actually ventured on to Brick Lane and Finsbury Park. It’s a fried chicken institution and has been a big part of my life since I was introduced to it back in the early 90s visiting Brixton for the first time with my mum. Four chicken wings for a pound has always been my go to order.

To me these guys represent the new wave of how we eat chicken in London. They put a restaurant fried chicken on the map. The K-Pop is the standout burger and the Seaweed Crack Tenders are an absolute winner. The smacked cucumber is lovely, all the dips are on point. Their Suffolk-bred chicken is top quality and it’s Halal. You’re paying £20-£25 and you’re coming out well fed. The guys behind it, Carl and David, are top boys.

The Keralan fried chicken from chef Will Bowlby has to be on the list. The first time I tried it I was with friends in Soho and I rang Will, and asked if we could pop down to check it out. It was incredible. It’s that traditional Deep South style fried chicken but with added Indian spices. Mayonnaise infused with curry oil, turmeric and black mustard seeds, deep fried curry leaves, mooli. Is it a fried chicken spot, no, it’s an Indian restaurant - but the fried chicken is on levels BELIEVE.

This place is not known only for its fried chicken but I’m giving a shout out to Bao down in Borough Market. Me and some friends went there after watching the football. Taiwanese food, Asian food is one of my favourites. It’s full of spice, full of flavour. Bao is 100% on their game and their fried chicken is next level. It’s sitting in-between two pillows of aerated bao bun with this spicy mayonnaise, hot sauce, kimchi, coriander and the chicken was so juicy and nice. You can get a plate of chicken there as well. The restaurant is like an old-school restaurant you find in Chinatown in New York. It has that kind of cafe-style. We had a really good time there. They have another branch in Soho that is top too.

I got introduced to this Vietnamese restaurant when I was living up in Stoke Newington. The chicken wings with fish sauce caramel and garlic salt are outrageous and they’re an absolute bargain. They’re around six quid. It was my go-to delivery in lockdown because I was trying to eat healthy and I was always getting a pho - but as a little treat I’d get these wings. I rate them really, really highly.

After starting out small, fast forward a few years and they’ve got them all over London. They tea brine their chicken, then use buttermilk and a double coating of flour. The crack and crunch of the coating you get on their chicken is up there. There’s a reason they’re doing so well. Their menu is ever changing but go for The Cluck Bun.

I first went down to their spot on Peckham Levels when I was living in Peckham. It used to be a multi-story carpark. The council took it over as a hub to support the local community and give people with different skills or interests the tools to learn and make a success of themselves. They have a lot of workshops and classes going on, but on one level they’ve got a few takeaway joints. I saw it, my eyes lit up and I was not disappointed. They’ve got this naughty burger - it’s brown butter garlic mayonnaise, Parmesan, pickles, lettuce. They’ve got a few across London now. If I’m walking down the street and I see the sign, I go no further - I head straight to OSF. In Brixton there’s a little counter you can just sit at, in 10 or 20 minutes I’ve got my chicken fix and off I go.

Hear me out. McDonald’s Chicken nuggets were my Friday treat after school so they have to be in the mix. We’d go to the drive-through and I’d get my six chicken nuggets, and a whippy ice cream. I still devour these nuggets on the regular - with the curry sauce. Sometimes I take it home and put together two slices of bread, six nuggets, bacon, tomato and lettuce, I call it a McCBLT, you heard that here first.

The Best Fried Chicken in London with James Cochran

Boxout.fm

New Delhi

They are one of the essentials to get the day started for most of the Boxout.fm crew. They initially started as a cafe based in Delhi then expanded to 20 outlets around the country specialising in coffee roasting

Owned by Mr Shah, this spot is located in the middle of Old Delhi. He will offer you tea whilst you dig for tunes. You can find some gems here from Bollywood soundtracks, to classical Indian music to old school Western classics. It is the home of records that are worth £50+ but cost £10+

VegNonVeg also known as “VNV” is India’s first multi-brand sneaker store, based in Delhi. These guys are one of the few people in the city trying to pioneer streetwear culture in India. They also have a sister homegrown clothing brand named Bhaane

Wild City is an online publication that was set up around 8 years ago. Munbir & Sarah the founders moved to New Delhi from London and kick started this. They have a fully functioning office now and are one of the only reliable publications dedicated to underground music in India. They also host an annual music festival in Rajasthan taking place in a Palace every 2nd week of December - highly recommended

Rajinder’s is a place where families and groups of friends gather, either ending their night there or starting it. This is a unique place because it started as one food cart to now owning the whole square. You can order and collect your food and sit outside amongst the others whilst enjoying some of the best, grilled, fried & butter chicken in Delhi. Great as a takeout option if you want to avoid the heat outdoors!

This is our flagship weekly night we throw in New Delhi. It's a night where our community can come together and have a space to explore new sounds. We have had some sick people play including people like Daedelus, Djrum & Flava DThis is our flagship weekly night we throw in New Delhi. It's a night where our community can come together and have a space to explore new sounds. We have had some sick people play including people like Daedelus, Djrum & Flava D

This is a place where you can find everything from Indian garments to notebooks and stationary and some of the most exciting street food carts exploring all regions of India with over 60+ stalls in total. For an entry of 500 rupees you can enjoy all the above

Lodhi Gardens is a historical park in Delhi, spread over 90acres. One of Delhi’s oldest parks including tombs from some of the last Sayyid Dynasty rulers. A popular place for picnics or enjoying long walks away from the busy Delhi streets

Once known as the house of Jaipur and the former residential palace of JAIPUR Maharaja of Jaipur, it is now the home of all modern art in India. This is a great place to explore art both old and new. NGMA is one of the few galleries in India funded by the government, with branches in Delhi, Mumbai & Bangalore

Qutub Minar is a historical landmark in Delhi. This is a place if you are feeling touristic and wanting to dive into the worlds of early Sultanates

New Delhi with Boxout.fm

Mumbai

Hands down the best Indian restaurant in Mumbai. It's also beautifully designed and if you are scared to try street food off the carts, go here for the greatest feeling of satisfaction.

A short trip from the city, these caves date back to more than 3,000 years ago and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hire a guide and take a half-day tour to explore enigmatic Indian sculpture art. Makes for a great break from Mumbai's constant noise of horns!

This historical temple is located in Juhu devoted to Lord Krishna is known for its good vibrations and serenity. If you are visiting around a festival, you could witness a celebration and the prayer which is an experience you must have.

Chor Bazaar literally translates to 'thieves market'. It’s essentially a street market full of vintage gems. From furniture to clothing, to artefacts to stationary to old photo frames, I’ve found some great treasures here which I hold really close to my heart. Every piece here has a rich past and a story to tell.

This is my neighbourhood for the last 6 years in Mumbai and I absolutely won’t live anywhere else in the city (or the world). There are a lot of outsiders (from different parts of the country/world) that live here and it’s full of life with some of the best nightlife options as well as best small coffee shops and eating spots. Walking around the sea promenade around sunset or getting a coffee from a local brewery around the corner are some of the favourite parts of my day. And it makes me feel like I’m home.
Tip: Walk in the sub-lanes of Bandra to discover some of the most beautiful colonial architecture, small catholic houses, all giving a lesson in its history.

This religious-historical site is a small waterbody surrounded by temples. To me, it's an oasis tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the maximum city. I often go here to clear my mind at dusk or dawn.

Go here for the Thackers Special Thali. Local flavours and delicacies are all served in one platter as part of the ritual. Experience a traditional Gujarati vegetarian meal in all its glory! Food coma to follow.

Also known as the art district of Mumbai. It has come up as the centre of everything artsy and trendy. Find here a mix of great cafes, art galleries and small homegrown designer stores. Make a detour to Colaba Causeway (a great place for street shopping!) for a true taste of the old and young Mumbai!

A mosque or dargah located on an islet off the coast of Worli. It’s one of the most recognised and iconic landmarks in Mumbai and has a very charming Islamic architecture. It’s beautifully lit every night and at the end of your visit, tuck into a cup of the iconic fruit cream from Haji Ali Juice Center outside.

The Best of Mumbai with Creative Director Kshitij Kankaria

Dar Disku 

Manama

Has some great record/cassette shops. Perfect for finding some old school Middle Eastern heaters - mainly 90s hits, Arabian disco and pop tapes

A new restaurant set up by one of our close friends and extremely talented chefs, Tala Bashmi. Brings Bahraini food to fine dining.

Go during sunset and the view is incredible

Manama with Dar Disku

Mexico City 

During Covid-19 Seo Ju Park and Sofia Acosta, both from Mexico City, started their Kimchi project because they felt Mexico City lacked a good Kimchi and K-Food project.

Dooriban is a dark kitchen family style K-food project by Mamá Park, using Seo Ju Park's mom's recipes for the best Korean food experience.

Makan is a Singaporean bites and wine bar space owned by Singaporean-born Maryann and her Mexican partner Mario.

Founded by Thai-born Somsri Raksamran and her Mexican husband, Galanga Thai is one of the most known Thai restaurants in Mexico City.

Tachinomi Desu is one of Mexico city's coolest bars offering a large array of Sakes from Japan and some even made in Mexico. The bar is part of Edo Kobayashi's group. Edo is a Japanese-Mexican who owns several of the city's most iconic Asian spots.

Bao Bao is a Taiwanese eatery owned by Taiwanese-Panamanian Kathy Fong who opened this spot to best represent the diverse gastronomy of this tiny Asian island.

Vietnamese restaurant chain that opened in 2019 and now has three open restaurants in Mexico City and one upcoming in Cancún with Mexico's best Vietnamese food.

Go upstairs to the little steak Japanese joint they run. It’s a hidden entrance to the side of the actual restaurant and kind of an insider thing.

Asian-Owned Businesses in Mexico City

Simran Randhawa

The queues are always crazy for dinner, so try get there before 6:30PM (LATEST). It's sooo worth the queue, some of the most authentic Malaysian food in London. You gotta get the roti (duh) and mamak mee noodles to share.

It's a major major trek, but honestly forget Dishoom; this is the BEST spot for Indian food in London. PERIOD.

Best place to grab lunch, healthy and light and SO peng.

Best place to stop for coffee and cake, the owners are SO lovely and they always have different cake flavours on rotation to keep it fresh. Also if you go during warmer months make sure you try their soft serve!!! It's SO good!

Again, it's probably a little out the way (though I think they have one near Trafalgar Sq) but pop in here if you want amazing, cheap, filling Indian food. 90% of my food pictures on my gram are from here, and 2 people could easily eat for less than £20. Bargain.

London with Simran Randhawa

Lotte Andersen

It’s like pick n mix - the programming is dope. The cinema shows crazy stuff all the time and they tend to be the first to screen most independent young artist's films. It’s cheap too, which always blows my mind.

GO FRIDAY!


Don't do Saturdays... it’s like Camden on steroids (in London language, this is stressful). This is my home, it's where i grew up. Friday is the best day for proper vintage and second hand clothes. I studied fashion and am obsessed with textiles, lots of that too! Friday is when all the buyers from the big fashion houses descend (usually at 7.30AM) to swoop all gear for archive research. Walk to the very top and then right on Golborne’s best food stalls (Moroccan, West Indian and more... weather dependant though).

Literally go to to the rose garden and check out all the names of the different strains. It’s so grand, old-fashioned and FREE... Also WHO knew there were roses called Champagne Coast, Rachel, Nostalgia and Simply the best?

This is my childhood gallery. Walk through Kensington Gardens, around the round pond, or from Albert Hall. There are two, the Sackler Centre and the Original Gallery. It’s on this list for pure nostalgia. It’s literally the first gallery I was pushed around in a stroller. The events programme in the Summer is super fun too.

My friend Jackson has opened the most divine restaurant. The food is a sensory ride and is aesthetically gorgeous. The space is designed by Rose Uniacke. Jackson, as corny as it sounds, is a magician with flavour. Boujie.

I worked for John after dropping out of studying fashion. He started ‘Granny Takes a Trip’ in the 60s, dressed icons like Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles... literally everyone. He opened his tailors in the early 80s. He’s usually grump, but if you say you know Lotte he’ll cheer up. He literally invented hype youth culture clothing and lol'd when Supreme opened a block away cos he said he hadn’t seen young people queue for clothes since his shop.

This is one of London’s best kepts... there are a line of restaurants in a row that have been there since the 80s. They’ve got weird cool wooden booths. Order the chana poori or the poori filled with yoghurt and sweet potatoes. So divine! Pay by cash or only one card to make it easy for them. Lunch buffet for £6.50- DIVINE.

Lotte Andersen's London Guide

Raffael

Kerala

I'm probably going to get some hate for this but it is literally the best biryani I've eaten in India. And believe me when I say I've pretty much travelled the length and breadth of this country for biryani.

Kerala is littered with these beautifully rustic establishments that brew their own coconut wine called toddy. It's well worth a visit, not just for the toddy but the food and the experience of the whole thing. I would recommend trying the fish head curry, duck curry and beef roast when you do visit. My favourite is the VELLIYAZCHA KAAVU TODDY SHOP, near Attingal.

A tiny, beautiful and clean beach. Beware the currents can be a bit dodgy at times but it's mostly fine.

Kerala's first and India's premier surf and yoga holiday destination. Join the local crew of surf instructors and guides for a surf every morning or just relax at the beautiful and stylish hotel, perched on a cliff top overlooking some of the best beaches and sunsets Kerala has to offer. Also, a really laid back atmosphere and cafe serving healthy treats and a mix of Keralan and Western-style food.

Backwaters of Kerala. The iconic Keralan scenery that you've seen on every postcard. It's like Alleppey but less touristy so best to visit here if you want to experience the backwaters but get away from the hustle of the very touristy spots.

Beautiful pristine beach and one of my favourites to visit. Again, not as many tourists as you might find on other beaches in Kerala so worth a visit.

My favourite spot to surf in Kerala. A beautiful fishing village with a fast hollow left hand wave. You can join for surf lessons or grab a board and go surfing yourself all while the fishermen and boats carry on with their days around you. Beware though, the surf can be a tad crowded here, but the locals are always friendly and welcoming.

I'm a bit of a beach bum as you can probably tell, but sometimes I like to leave the beach to get into the western ghats. You'll think you're in a different country. Vagamon is one of my favourite hill stations in the western ghats, considered to have one of the most ecologically dense environments in the world. The drive up there is stunning as are the views and there are some adventure activities like paragliding, hiking that you can get involved in, or you could just kickback and watch the birds for hours.

Heritage sites, cafes, art galleries and the biennale. Some may go as far as to say it's the art capital of India. (KASHI ART CAFE, DAVID HALL GALLERY, PEPPER HOUSE).

Kerala with Raffael from Soul & Surf

New York City 

Very affordable Indian takeout. Very beloved by New Yorkers.

Former business partners turned rival kosher dim sum restaurant owners.

Lots of delicious flavours including black sesame and pandan.

A speakeasy that requires a call to a pay phone in a Crif Dog spot.

I used to come down to Coney Island Board Walk with my parents on spur of the moment trips in the evenings, and later on as a teenager to watch the weekly firework displays in the summer. Now, I like to go for the music, performances and to sit by the beach in the mornings. I always order frog legs at Nathan’s – a little-known Brooklyn classic!

Continuing with the nostalgic theme: I used to catch horseshoe crabs and run around in torn down buildings, but now this entire area has been developed and the park has expanded into a beautiful place to hang out. My favourite spots from childhood are the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, Grimaldi’s Pizza and Jacques Torres – a chocolate shop.

They sell an infamous drink called ‘ass juice’ that is extremely small, but very potent and dangerously delicious. The TVs usually play a medley of vintage, extreme porn.

L’Rain on Where to Eat and Drink in New York

Bianca Oblivion

Los Angeles 

This is a family-owned business that has been around since the 70s, one of the first (if not the first?) Indian grocery stores in Los Angeles. It began as a small storefront between a casket and hardware store, and eventually took over both to become a full restaurant and grocery. When I was in high school, one of the aunties would sell samosas at the register and I’d always buy one while I waited for the bus. Aside from having delicious vegetarian Indian food, they have every Indian spice you could think of and all kinds of imported items.

This market has gone by many names, and through many renovations. It’s our neighborhood market, just a few blocks from my house. It’s got all your Mexican/Latin groceries & meats plus some middle eastern specialty goods. It once had a joyeria where you could buy customized gold chains and rings, but that was replaced by a bakery and tortilleria. While I’m sad to see the gold go, their pan dulce and tortillas are pretty bomb.

Tucked away in a strip mall next to a laundromat is the most colorful ice cream shop you’ve seen thus far. They have a huge selection of tropical flavored sorbets, ice creams, and paletas (Mexican popsicles), as well as juices and smoothies. They even have a tamarind and “smoked milk” flavor.

Before Google, Belkin, and all the other “Silicon Beach” companies landed, along with luxury condos, there was a wide expanse of wetlands in West LA, just a few miles from LAX and Playa Del Rey beaches. While much of it has been paved with condos, there are still a few small trails alongside shallow ponds with cranes, ducks, and frogs. You can take a walk through and feel like you’ve escaped the sprawling metropolis and returned to an era of pre-developed LA.

This is a huge park that straddles Culver City and Baldwin Hills that has peaceful trails, ponds, and playground/grass areas for family gatherings. There is a Japanese Garden hidden away there and scenic overlook with a perfect view of the city. I’ve gone on many hikes and attended kid birthdays with my family here.

This is a Persian/Danish pizza and gyro spot offering a “pizza sandwich” that combines two...and it’s delicious. With its original location in Copenhagen, they somehow found their way to a small corner in Culver City to open up their second location. It also happens to be down the block from the palatial King Fahad Mosque, and you’ll often see crowds of people come in after prayer.

The swap meet of all swap meets with the iconic green paint and orange/red lettering (not West LA but not that far off). All the gold, kicks, knock offs, and airbrushed shirts you could ask for. One jewelry stand in particular sells gold nameplate rings--I’ve gotten “Bianca” and “Oblivion,” one for each hand.

Black-owned and operated health food store and Caribbean/soul restaurant in the View Park-Windsor Hills area (this neighborhood also has some of the most beautiful classic LA Spanish/Mediterranean style homes). They have delicious Jamaican patties, smoothies, fried chicken and cornbread, and on Sundays they have a live jazz band play on the patio for weekend brunch.

One of my favorite breakfast spots with the tastiest honey-infused pancakes, as its name would suggest. Alongside your standard egg, potato, and meat selections, they have a full selection of Salvadoran dishes, including pupusas, pastelitos, sopas, chorizo and more. It’s another family owned business, and I once got into a conversation about music with one of the brothers, who played us some reggaeton tracks he had rapped on.

West LA with Bianca Oblivion

Casablanca

A go-to place for successful Italian dishes every time.

A perfect and cute place to chill and play board games with friends. You can also go there for fondue or a raclette evening in winter.

A diverse menu (for breakfast, lunch or dinner) with several specialties and a festive atmosphere. Ideal for celebrating a birthday with friends.

A Turkish steakhouse with a show and a family-friendly atmosphere.

One of the best places in Casablanca for fresh and delicious sushi.

The yummiest Japanese food in town. The restaurant also offers the opportunity to organise karaoke nights with friends.

An energetic restaurant with comforting food!

A beautifully decorated place with particularly successful Asian dishes.

Craving Greek food? This is the place to go!

The Best Restaurants in Casablanca, Morocco

A heritage park where Earth Collective hosts a Sunday Farmer’s Market. It is a great place to get organic home produce, early morning walks and delicious brunch thereafter.

A time traveling experience that goes back to the Mughal Empire’s architectural grandeur of 1887 AD. It is located at the centre of the capital itself. It’s a must see as it leads to one of my favourite spots that personifies systematic chaos - Chandni Chowk.

What used to be an old facility for storing grain is now at the heart of where art, cafes, editorial publishing houses and fashion meet. With places like, Space 10, Cafe Dori and Common Room, it’s a must-see spot.

A place for any textile lover. I seek great pride in the craftsmanship of India and spend heaps of time trying to learn new skills when they host open workshops. For a humble break in the middle, one can always walk to CAFE LOTA for a quick chai break.

An event space that’s hosted many homegrown and international acts over the years.

Pet-friendly cafe that has its own special menu as well so that your pet is busy enjoying the meal instead of making you feel guilty about yours. P.S. Best Avocado toasts!

A traveling and invite based property hosting intimate gigs in interesting locations - from homes, terraces to open boutiques. As an artist playing a session is as rewarding as being a part of one as the audience.

A war memorial sandstone arch that pays respect to the war veterans also has heaps of stalls for balloons, street chat and toys. Every kid of New Delhi has taken a night-drive to India Gate to enjoy an ice-cream with their families. A tradition that still goes on.

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